Children across Bhutan celebrate International Day of Play, calling for greater investment in safe play spaces
THIMPHU, 11 June 2026 – On the heels of global excitement around the World Cup, the International Day of Play kicked off today across Bhutan, with students dedicating time to physical activity and play.
More than 200 children and adolescents, including nuns, monks, and children with disabilities, came together at Changlingmithang Stadium to celebrate the day organised jointly by the Ministry of Education and Skills Development (MoESD), the Bhutan Football Federation (BFF), and UNICEF.
Amid the energy of the global game, the day serves as a timely reminder that every player’s journey begins with play. Football remains one of the most accessible and widely loved forms of play in Bhutan, helping children stay active, build teamwork and confidence, and develop lifelong skills.
Committing to make schools across Bhutan more child-friendly and conducive to holistic learning, the Minister for Education and Skills Development Yeezang D Thapa, encouraged the children, “Today is your day. Play is one of the greatest gifts you can give yourselves. It not only brings joy and happiness but also helps you stay healthy and physically fit, sharpens your mind, and strengthens your friendships. Through play, you learn important life skills such as teamwork, creativity, confidence, resilience, respect, and discipline. These qualities are valuable not only as students but also throughout your lives.”
To mark the day nationwide, the MoESD issued a circular encouraging schools across Bhutan to set aside dedicated time for play and physical activity, reinforcing the importance of active lifestyles from an early age.
Only 23 per cent of adolescents in Bhutan meet the recommended levels of physical activity, according to the Nourishing Bhutan report, highlighting an urgent need to prioritise play for every child.
In a joint statement released today, MoESD, BFF and UNICEF highlighted growing concerns about physical inactivity among children and youth, noting that too many young people lack sufficient opportunities for active play. The statement calls for strengthened, coordinated, and sustained investment in safe play environments and greater opportunities for physical activity in schools and communities.
“Every footballer’s journey begins with play. By investing in safe and inclusive spaces where children can play and be active, we are investing in their health, well-being, and future,” President of the Bhutan Football Federation Ugen Tsechup said. “Football has the power to bring children together, promote inclusion and help them develop essential life skills both on and off the field.”
This year’s theme “Protect Play, Protect Childhood,” places a strong emphasis on ensuring safe and healthy play spaces for every child. It also highlights how play is connected to parenting, learning, and wellbeing. Parenting support programmes are more effective when families have safe places to play; learning through play flourishes when caregivers are supported; and investments in play spaces have greater impact when parents and educators are equipped to use them.
Safe play spaces are critical for children’s holistic development. They nurture creativity, resilience, and social skills, while supporting physical, cognitive, and emotional wellbeing. They also strengthen bonds between children and caregivers by creating opportunities for meaningful interaction. In schools and communities, safe and inclusive environments ensure that all children, including those with disabilities, can participate fully in play and physical activity.
Yet, despite its importance, safe and accessible play spaces are shrinking. Rising screen time and limited opportunities for structured physical activity are contributing to declining activity levels among children and adolescents.
UNICEF Bhutan Representative Rushnan Murtaza said play is not just recreation but a fundamental part of childhood and a basic right of every child. “UNICEF remains committed to work with partners to ensure that every child has access to safe and inclusive spaces to play, because when we protect play, we protect childhood.”
Investing in play is therefore more urgent than ever, not only for children’s immediate wellbeing, but also for their long-term health, learning outcomes and resilience.